Football in India a decade behind Asia’s best, boss Igor Stimac says, as he threatens to quit days after Asia Cup rout of Hong Kong
- After capping qualifying campaign with 4-0 win over Hong Kong, India will appear at consecutive finals for first time in country’s history
- But Stimac says things in domestic game need to change drastically if he is to remain in charge beyond September
Days after leading his team to the 2023 Asia Cup finals, India coach Igor Stimac has threatened to quit and blasted the state of the domestic game in the country.
Stimac’s side topped Group D after easing past Hong Kong 4-0 in their final qualifier, but the Croat said football in India was at least a decade behind Asia’s best, adding he would leave unless “drastic” changes were made.
In particular, the 54-year-old has complained about the amount of time he gets to spend with the national team, something he alluded to after the win over Hong Kong in Kolkata on Tuesday.
While happy with the result, which ensured India will appear at consecutive finals for the first time in the country’s history, the coach said it was proof of “what happens when you give me enough time to do it with these boys”.
Stimac, who played in the Premier League with West Ham United and Derby County, was appointed in 2019 by the All India Football Federation.
But the governing body is in disarray and being run by administrators after former chief Praful Patel stayed in office beyond his term without fresh elections, which courts ruled invalid.
The management problems were compounding a chronic lack of football development that has left India “eight to 10 years behind the top-eight Asian countries”, Stimac said.